Zakaria El Ouahdi Shines in Belgian Pro League
In a remarkable turn of events, Zakaria El Ouahdi, the talented right-back from KRC Genk, has clinched the prestigious Ebony Shoe award, which honors the top African player in the Belgian Pro League. This coveted accolade comes as a significant achievement for the 24-year-old Moroccan, who has had an exceptional season, standing out with an impressive tally of 12 goals and five assists across 41 appearances. His performance has not only solidified his status as a pivotal figure within the Genk squad but also placed him among the elite players in the league.
El Ouahdi's victory marks him as the third Moroccan to receive this honor, joining the ranks of esteemed players such as Mbark Boussoufa, who won the award multiple times in 2006, 2009, and 2010, and Tarik Tissoudali, the winner in 2022. Earlier this year, he was also recognized with the Belgian Lion award in 2025, celebrating his contributions as a player of North African descent in the elite Belgian football circuit.
Competition and Performance Highlights
In a fiercely competitive field, El Ouahdi outperformed notable nominees including Nigerian-born forward Promise David, who now represents Canada on the international stage, Parfait Guiagon from Royal Charleroi SC, and Adem Zorgane of Union Saint-Gilloise. Last season's winner, Tolu Arokodare, who now plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers, previously held the title while at Genk. It is noteworthy that while El Ouahdi enjoyed a stellar season, Raphael Onyedika, who was also in contention for the award, managed to score only one goal in 29 league appearances this season.
Promise David had an impressive season as well, netting 15 goals in 37 matches across all competitions before facing a setback due to a hip injury in February 2026. With El Ouahdi's rise to prominence, a legacy of Nigerian players who have also won the Ebony Shoe, including legends like Daniel Amokachi and Victor Ikpeba, continues to be celebrated.
As reported by punchng.com.
